5:07 p.m. – The man accused of assaulting two police officers Thursday severely battered his wife before turning his fists onto police, according to the criminal complaint filed in Metropolitan Court.

Anthony Abeyta, 40, allegedly got into an argument with his wife and choked her, punched her in the face and kicked her in the head multiple times according to the complaint.

Abeyta’s son tried to intervene during the altercation, but was also punched by him and was told to “get on your knees and pray,” according to the complaint.

When police arrived, Abeyta punched APD’s Sgt. Ferris Simmons three times in the face, and Simmons had bruising under both eyes, ringing in her ears and a swollen right thumb, the complaint reads.

Sgt. Paul Judd also was struck on his face, causing his upper right lip to swell, according to the complaint.

The wife was taken to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where it was determined that her face was fractured, her bottom jaw was broken in half, she had a brain bleed and “exhibited symptoms of brain damage.”

The bruised imprint of a shoe-company symbol was found on her neck, which matched the shoes Abeyta was wearing when he was arrested, according to the complaint. The area from the top of her head to her collarbone was completely bruised, according to the complaint.

When police tried to interview Abeyta, he only said “I’m cursed” and “It’s not my soul, it’s not me,” according to the complaint.

Abeyta was charged with attempted murder, two counts of kidnapping, four counts of aggravated battery against a police officer, aggravated battery against a household member and domestic violence.

He was booked into jail on $500,000 bail.

—————————————————————————————————————

A female Albuquerque police officer was taken to a hospital for treatment after responding to a domestic violence call where she too became a victim.

When APD’s Sgt. Ferris Simmons and Sgt. Paul Judd arrived at the call location in the 12000 block of Turquoise NE, near Chelwood Park and Interstate 40, around 1 p.m. Thursday, a man attacked and battered the two officers.

According to police spokeswoman Tasia Martinez, the man hit Simmons repeatedly on the head and struck Judd in the face.

Police used a Taser on the man and took him into custody. They have identified him as 40-year-old Anthony Abeyta.

Abeyta is facing charges that will tentatively include attempt to commit first-degree murder, battery on a household member and two counts of battery on a police officer, Martinez said in a news release.

Martinez said Simmons was sent to the hospital but neither of the officers had life-threatening injuries.

Police identified two adult members of the household who are victims. One female victim suffered serious injuries, but officers arrived in time to save her. The extent of her injuries was not immediately known. Paramedics transported her to the hospital where she was stabilized, Martinez said.

Mayor Richard Berry issued a statement on Thursday after the incident.

“Today’s events reinforce just how dangerous it can be to be a police officer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the officers and we are all hopeful for a complete and swift recovery for the officers that were attacked, as well as the injured victim,” Berry said.

Simmons was previously a police department public information officer. She was recognized as Albuquerque Police Department’s officer of the year in 2011.

Comments

Note: Readers can use their Facebook identity for online comments or can use Hotmail, Yahoo or AOL accounts via the "Comment using" pulldown menu. You may send a news tip or an anonymous comment directly to the reporter, click here.